The 100 greatest songs of the 1980s, ranked

https://www.smoothradio.com/features/top-songs/1980s-songs-best-ranked/ ^ | 10/26/23 | Tom Eames

[LRoggy]

Agree 100%
Amazing rhythm

[dfwgator]

When I first saw it, I thought it was “Misty Mountain Hop” on steroids.

[dfwgator]

Here’s one Genesis-related one you might not know, but I really like, as I am both a big fan of Genesis and Marillion

Tony Banks w/Fish - Another Murder Of A Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvfFsGUyTxs

[CletusVanDamme]

“Beautiful World” by Devo isn’t on there. At least a Madness tune is represented. I could make a better top 50 list than this list of 100.

[Ikeon]

Did you say "Guadalcanal Diary"?

Can I say "Where angels fear to tread" is a top 100 for my 80's songs? alomg with the smithereens "Blood and roses". "A girl like you" or " behind a wall of sleep"

[Ikeon]

Steve luthather

[Windcatcher]

These aren’t ranked (except by year), but they’re one of the places I like to go to for my 80’s fix.

https://www.youtube.com/@MarioMex/videos

[George from New England]

I cannot believe that noone has mentioned:

Journey — Don’t Stop Believin’

In the decades top ten

[dfwgator]

Another brilliant 80s XTC Song

The Mayor Of Simpleton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciq0wlhwUVw

[dfwgator]

The Smithereens w/Suzanne Vega - In A Lonely Place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaJlX9CgJ8A

[Right Brigade]

Thomas Dolby
Europa.

[CommerceComet]

My favorite 1980s song is (Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon. On this song (and a few others), I find Lennon's voice mesmerizing.

I really don't think the 1980s was a good music decade when compared to the 1960s and 1970s. However, there are a few gems in there. I also really like The Tide is High by Blondie, Centerfield by John Fogerty, Down Under by Men at Work, Super Trouper by ABBA, Uptown Girls and The Longest Time by Billy Joel. Several of these songs seem to be 1950s retro which had a novelty niche for a while in the 1980s. Before he finalized the title, Lennon referred to his song as "Elvis Orbison" and later stated it was a kind of tribute to the rock pioneers like Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and Roy Orbison.

[ConservativeStatement]

Best music video ever! "Still of the Night" by Whitesnake

[Alberta's Child]

I thought the 1980s was a great decade for music, but I probably only liked about 25% of the songs posted on that list.

I came up with my Top 20 song list for the 1980s -- which is bigger than the Top 10 list I just posted on the 1990s thread!

1. "The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley (maybe the defining song of the decade)
2. "Hysteria" by Def Leppard (fantastic guitar tracks, and one of the most underrated songs of all time)
3. "Waiting On A Friend" by the Rolling Stones (epic 1980s hit from a band that was around for a long time even then)
4. "Mandolin Rain" by Bruce Hornsby & The Range
5. "Like A Rock" by Bob Seger
6. "It's All I Can Do" by the Cars (I cheated a bit on this one, since it was released in late December 1979 but it is definitely a 1980s sound)
7. "Time Stand Still" by Rush
8. "Never Surrender" by Corey Hart
9. "Find Your Way Back" by Starship
10. "Only The Young" by Journey
11. "The Flame" by Cheap Truck
12. "In A Big Country" by Big Country
13. "Suddenly Last Summer" by the Motels
14. "The Spirit Of Radio" by Rush
15. "Talk Of The Town" by the Pretenders
16. "Patience" by Guns and Roses
17. "Bad" by U2
18. "Stand Or Fall" by The Fixx
19. "Life In A Northern Town" by Dream Academy
20. "Valerie" by Steve Winwood

[yuleeyahoo]

When I was stationed at Great Lakes NTC in 83, my alarm clock played that song every day.

[dfwgator]

Another good one.

[dfwgator]

Another good Canadian band.

Red Ryder - Lunatic Fringe

[atc23]

DEVO - I’ve ever been to a better live show

[I-ambush]

C’mon man! No Stevie Ray Vaughn?

[Charles Martel]

One of the best sides in music history: Telegraph Road and Private Investigations.

Yeah, especially with a decent set of headphones.